SPANISH FORT, Ala.—The City Council determined during Monday’s regular meeting that enough evidence exists in two separate cases from complaints lodged by neighboring residents to constitute violations of the city’s nuisance ordinance.

The first violation involves a Huckleberry Lane duplex being rented by a contractor from a Daphne property owner. Building Official Bruce Renkert said his primary concern with the property is any one of three commercial trailers parked on the property at any given time along with constant construction debris.

The property owner, who did not appear for Monday’s public hearing, did not respond to repeated requests by Renkert to address the problems, and the final step in the process was for the council to determine if enough evidence exists to take action. The council voted unanimously to have a resolution drafted addressing the complaint to be considered during the Jan. 24 meeting.

District 3 Councilman Joe Thomas was not present during the meeting.

The second violation involves a Wayside Drive residence owned by a former auto mechanic who objects to removing his “treasures.”

Renkert, again, outlined the steps taken in making “every reasonable attempt” to secure the property owner’s cooperation before escalating the matter to the council.

District 4 Councilman Tom Sawyer implored the council to consider giving the “elderly” property owner one last chance to address the problem and even asked Renkert if he would “reach out” to the man’s son who lives on n adjacent parcel.

The council voted 4-to-1, with Sawyer dissenting, that the evidence presented constitutes a public nuisance and will, therefore, initiate escalation by considering a resolution on the matter during the Jan. 24 meeting.

Mayor Joe Bonner said, “Nobody up here likes to make a decision like this,” but in both instances the property owners were given every opportunity – dating back to September – to address the complaints.